BETHLEHEM, PA - The Utica Pioneers football team headed into Saturday's matchup vs Moravian with an excess of energy after their big win vs Union the week prior. A couple of motivated Pioneer defense and special teams unites notched 3 early turnovers, propelling themselves to a 13-0 halftime lead. After halftime, the Greyhounds crept back into the game, stealing an 18-13 lead with 1 minute left in the contest and holding on for a slim victory.
The Utica defense had their way early on in the battle, with John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) recording 2 sacks in the blink of an eye. The Pioneers had 5 sacks on the day, headlined by Stroughn (2), as well as Doug Simmons (White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) (1.5), Cam'Ren Brister (1), and James Lanier (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) (0.5). A strong start also saw the defense force 2 fumbles courtesy of Utica captain combo Darius Johnson (Webster, NY/Webster) and Norman Booth (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady). Booth, in addition to forcing the second fumble, scooped up the first one too, transporting it to the Moravian endzone for a scoop and score to break the ice.
Johnson and Booth had monster lines on the day, with Johnson totaling 11 tackles in addition to his forced fumble, and Booth getting 6 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery-touchdown.
Booth joined three other Pioneer defenders who had 6 tackles, with Stroughn, Simmons, and Lanier also recording 6 takedowns.
Denzere Woolcock (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) and Mason Mascari (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) both had fumble recoveries on the day, with Mascari's coming as the result of a bobbled punt by the opposition.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Pioneers were kept relatively quiet. Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) rushed for 71 yards on 20 carries, the same amount of rushes he had in last week's 185-yard affair.
9 different players caught receptions in the game, showcasing how deep into the bag the Pioneers were willing to go to find offensive production.
Moravian finished ahead of Utica in many offensive categories. The Greyhounds achieved 24 first downs as opposed to Utica's 13, gained 418 yards against Utica's 200, and held the ball for 31:31 minutes as opposed to Utica's 27:20 minutes.
Despite all of that, the Pioneers held the lead for the vast majority of the game, and had a chance to take it right back at the end of the matchup.
Game Synopsis:
The Pioneers started off the proceedings with the same staunch defense that slowed Union in week 1.John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) sacked Moravian signal-caller Jared Jenkins to force a Greyhound punt on the opening drive.
Utica had some momentum early in their first offensive possession, with Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) gaining some early first downs by hitting Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) and Tyler Kolenda (Harwinton, CT/Lewis S. Mills) for substantial yardage. Last week's Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) saw some run early, getting a couple good games before a Pioneer hold led the offense to stall out.
Moravian started picking up speed in their second possession, gaining 64 quick yards courtesy of 4 long completions from Jared Jenkins. The Greyhounds tried to switch it up on 1st down from the Pioneer 31 yard line, drawing up a run for Isiah Rico. Rico's rush was met by Pioneer captain Darius Johnson (Webster, NY/Webster), who punched the rock out of the runner's hands. The loose football ended up right at the feet of Johnson's fellow linebacker captain Norman Booth (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady), who scooped it up in stride and took it the distance for a 7-0 Pioneer lead.
Norman Booth (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) Scoop N' Score: https://x.com/Utica_Pioneers/status/1835005956679184697
Moravian took the Pioneer momentum-shifter right on the chin and immediately got right back to work. The Greyhounds mounted another sustained drive that put them back in Pioneer territory. Jenkins led his team right back to the goal line with a couple completed passes, Moravian was also aided by a Pioneer pass interference penalty. Now in the Utica redzone, the Greyhounds had a couple opportunities to put up a number. A sack-happy Pioneer defense disrupted the Moravian momentum though, with John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) and Cam'Ren Brister both recording sacks in the defensive stand. On 4th and goal, Moravian wideout Avery Koser was dragged down just short of the goal line by Pioneer defender Karyll Rony-Dorceus (Jamaica Queens, NY/Christ the King).
Utica and Moravian then went back and forth for a little while, with both teams trading punts midway through the 2nd quarter. The battle for field position resulted in a Moravian punt from their own endzone. The ensuing play included a Pioneer punt-block, setting them up at the Greyhound 50 with a fresh set of downs.
Despite the good field position, Utica failed to convert, as they were susceptible to an aggressive Greyhound defense that forced a fumble just seconds into the drive.
The Pioneer turnover gave some energy to a steady Moravian offensive unit, who made use of a great connection between Jenkins and receiver Jordan Bingham to get rolling late in the 2nd quarter. Following the Bingham 17-yard reception, running back Isiah Rico found a couple gaps, pushing the Greyhounds down into the Utica red zone. With another chance to draw level, the Greyhounds were once again victims of a John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) defensive masterclass. Stroughn chased down Jenkins as he escaped the pocket, dragging down the Greyhound QB just a couple yards short of the line to gain.
Stroughn 4th Down Stop: https://x.com/Utica_Pioneers/status/1835015559127367731
The Pioneers struggled to get anything going on offense during the ensuing possession, quickly sending out the punt unit with about a minute left in the first half. Backed up in their own endzone, Freddie Callo (Milton, NY/Marlboro Central) let loose a booming kick that pushed the Moravian returner back across midfield. Callo's punt had some heat on it, and was too hot for the Greyhound return unit to handle, leading to a Moravian fumble. Mason Mascari (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) was Johnny-on-the-spot for the Pioneers, recovering their second fumble on the day.
Pioneer Special Teams Fumble Recovery: https://x.com/Utica_Pioneers/status/1835017719281848611
The Pioneers quickly capitalized on this turnover as well, with Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) finding Gabriel Zawolo (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) for a 17 yard score to put Utica up 13-0 heading into the halftime break.
Outside of those couple converted Greyhound turnovers, the Pioneer offense struggled to create anything offensively.
Moravian out-possessed Utica 18:26 - 11:34 during the first half of play, gaining 12 first downs in comparison to the Pioneers' 7. In terms of yardage, Moravian also won that first half battle, out-gaining Utica 171-106. Turnovers were definitely the difference in the first 30 minutes, with Utica still needing to ask some major questions of the Greyhound defense in the 2nd half.
The Pioneers would have an immediate opportunity to showcase their halftime adjustments, receiving the ball to start the second half.
The beginning of the 2nd half closely resembled the majority of the 2nd quarter, with both teams trading possessions to begin the final 30.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, a Diego Del Castillo 47-yard touchdown reception provided the breakthrough that the Greyhounds were looking for. After a failed extra point attempt, the big play managed to get Moravian on the board.
Utica, now only leading 13-6, looked for a big play of their own in response. With the Moravian crowd starting to get rowdy during their Family Day Game, a Logan Kraft (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) 12 yard reception on 3rd down momentarily silenced the voices.
Logan Kraft (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) 3rd Down Catch: https://x.com/Utica_Pioneers/status/1835030571476816111
The Pioneers were eventually forced to punt, with Moravian retaining possession at their own 18.
The Greyhound possession ended early though, when Norman Booth (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) forced the Pioneers' 3rd fumble of the game. This particular ball was recovered at the Moravian 18 yard line by Denzere Woolcock (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady). After capitalizing on their first two turnover opportunities, the Pioneers couldn't make it 3-for-3, with Freddie Callo's (Milton, NY/Marlboro Central) 37-yard field goal try being blocked by Moravian.
Pioneers Force Another Fumble: https://x.com/Utica_Pioneers/status/1835032176645067094
Utica found themselves with the ball once again, looking to regain their 2-score cushion. Now entering the 4th quarter, the Pioneers started off the frame with a pivotal 3rd down. Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge), who had been kept relatively quiet, started to find some gaps, securing a fresh set of downs with a 5-yard rush. Utica pushed down into Greyhound territory, and a Izzy Maldonado (Island Park, NY/Long Beach) 6-yard reception left the Pioneers with an important decision on 4th down and 4. During the next play, Fuller found a crossing Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Institute of Technology) just short of the line to gain, giving the ball back to the Greyhounds.
Moravian found yet another breakthrough, with Greyhound backs Declan McCarthy and Cameron Tinajero combining for 41 yards on a 67 yard scoring drive. Tinajaro pushed past the plane, bringing the hosts to within 1 point. A missed extra point kept the score at 13-12 Utica.
With the Greyhounds within reach, the Pioneers needed answers. Brantley provided some power, notching a quick 13 yards on the drive. Ultimately, the Greyhound line overwhelmed Utica, forcing another punt from the Pioneers.
Trailing by 1, and with a little over 6 minutes left. It was make or break for the Greyhounds. The Pioneers would look for another heads up defensive play to almost assuredly put the game out of reach.
The Pioneers slowed the Moravian offense initially to begin the drive, with Doug Simmons (White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) and James Lanier (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) securing a big sack.
On the ensuing play, Diego Del Castillo once again found himself behind the Utica defense, catching the ball for a 38 yard gain but tripping in the process. Moravian eventually found the endzone, with Joey Richmond giving the Greyhounds a lead with 1 minute remaining. Moravian attempted a 2-point conversion to try and take a 7 point lead, but a holding penalty negated the try and the Greyhounds failed the second, longer attempt with Darius Johnson (Webster, NY/Webster) knocking the ball away.
The Pioneers, after having led for over 40 minutes in the matchup, now faced a 5-point deficit with 1 minute left. It was touchdown or bust.
Fuller started off the final drive with a couple completions to Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) and Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville). The Pioneers took their first timeout at their own 40 yard line with 30 seconds left. After the timeout, Fuller brought the ball to about midfield, escaping pressure and stopping the clock by heading out of bounds.
With 15 seconds left, the Pioneers found a massive break. Fuller fired a ball downfield to Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), which was caught at the Moravian 35 yard line. In addition to a gigantic 21-yard gain, the Moravian defenders accrued multiple penalties after the play. The resulting yardage left the Pioneers at the 10 yard line with 10 seconds remaining.
The Pioneers had 2 chances to win the game. On the first play, Gabriel Zawalo almost reeled in an insane 1-handed catch, but couldn't make the adjustment on a very difficult ball.
This was it. 1 second left, Utica down by 5. The Pioneers had one last gasp. Fuller escaped initial pressure and sent one last prayer. After hanging in the air for a little while, the final ball was intercepted by the Greyhounds, with Moravian officially taking the game after an intense 4th quarter.
Utica was ahead for around 40 minutes of the contest, and was inches away from recapturing their lead with nothing left in the game.
With the loss, the Pioneers will fall to 1-1 on the season. They return home next weekend to Gaetano Stadium to face off against Lycoming College. That game will serve as the team's First Source Federal Credit Union Teacher Appreciation Game as well as the Coach to Cure MD Game.
Pioneer Football Falls 18-13 After Last-Second Push by Moravian
/seasons/2024/boxscores/20240914_9cak.xml
2024
Utica
13
Moravian
18
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utica (1-1) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Moravian (1-1) | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
Sep 14, 2024